The television in the briefing room played loudly, showing a young woman dressed in a red skirt and black blouse discussing the weather Raccoon City would have over the next week. It was mid-July so things were hot, a little too hot to be comfortable. Around the room, chairs were filled with bodies. Chris Redfield sat in a chair that was turned backwards, his arms resting across the top of it. Across from him Joseph in another chair, slightly slouched down. On the other side of the room Forest Speyer leaned against the wall, his arms folded over his chest, Richard Aiken stood next to him and finally, seated next to them at a desk was Brad Vickers.
"Another hot day in Raccoon, like we didn't know that already." Forest said in his deep voice with just a hint of a southern tinge. He pushed off the wall and headed across the room to a vending machine on a wall beside the television. As he rummaged through his pocket for change Joseph nudged Chris who seemed to be in his own little world.
"You okay, man? You seem out of it."
"I'm fine. Just thinking."
It had been three months since the first body was discovered. The police had said it was a cougar attack, or maybe a pack of wild wolves. Whatever had happened, the young woman had been severely mauled. The death was ruled accidental; a hiker going off the trail and having the luck to come across a hungry wild animal. But it didn't stop there. Over the next few weeks more bodies had turned up, all suffering the same wounds; large bites that lead to death by trauma.
Before Joseph could push the issue further Forest turned the set up louder as a well-dressed man in a suit with brown hair combed back came on. Around him the scene was a wooden barricade, police officers, ambulances, and fire trucks. It was the scene of the most recent finding – bringing the body count up eleven.
"Good evening. This is Chet Richmond on the outskirts of Raccoon City, where police have found another victim of the "Arklay Cannibals." While no official report has been released by the police, I've been informed the victim is a young man – a student at Raccoon High."
"Oh man, they got a kid…." Brad spoke up. That was the first thing the usually taciturn pilot had said since arriving at the Raccoon Police Department earlier in the afternoon.
"Word from Police Chief Brian Irons earlier this week stated S.T.A.R.S was being brought in to access the situation after things grew too intense for the small RPD. With this latest victim, S.T.A.R.S is needed more than ever."
As the news cut away to commercial Forest turned off the set. He ran a hand through his long brown hair and sighed deeply. Raccoon was a small city with small-town people. The biggest thing that happened there all year was the Fall Carnival and Raccoon High's rivalry with neighboring city Lake Village. The very idea of a single murder happening was shocking, but eleven in a three month period? After autopsy reports had shown human saliva on several victims the press dubbed the attackers "The Arklay Cannibals" and the Special Tactics and Rescue Squad was called in.
A large figured stepped into the doorway, filling the entire space. Barry Burton wasn't overly tall, only 6'2" like Forest, but where Forest was lean and toned, Barry was built like a mach truck. His shoulders were wide and his arms and chest were stocky. Next to his family and his guns, the man loved his weightlifting and it showed. His deep voice spread through the room.
"Wesker wants us in the second floor office in ten. He heard about the High School kid and is ready to get the briefing underway."
In the upstairs office was the rest of the S.T.A.R.S team. Kenneth sat at his desk reading autopsy reports; Richard was in the corner tinkering with the radio as Rebecca looked on, eager to learn something new. Edward was reading mechanic reports for the helicopters they'd be using. At the front of the room were team leaders Albert Wesker and Enrico Marini, going over what they knew and what they were planning on doing.
Outside in the hallway were loud footsteps as sneakers collided with tile. Jill had been so busy going over newspaper clippings, witness interviews, and police reports that time had almost slipped away. It was a good thing most of the RPD was at the current crime scene because she definitely would have gotten a speeding ticket flying to the building. She was in such a hurry that she didn't have time to see the group of men coming around the other corner.
"Oof!" came the yell as she slammed into something and fell back, landing on the cool tile floor. She looked up to see a brick wall with a beard named Barry Burton flanked by the other males of the Alpha and Bravo teams. A large, gloved hand extended out to her and she grabbed on, pulling herself up.
"Sorry, Barry."
"Don't worry about it. Come on, Wesker and Enrico and waiting."
As the rest of the team arrived and took seats at their desks, Wesker patted Enrico on the shoulder and nodded. The mustached leader of Bravo nodded once and then headed to his own desk. As everyone settled in Wesker gave the team an once-over from behind his black Aviator shades. He began to speak, his voice smooth and full of confidence.
"We all know what's been going on here. A group consisting of between nine and twelve people has been attacking civilians in the forest around the Arklay Mountains. As the body count continues to rise, Irons and the RPD realize they can't handle the situation – which is where come in. After speaking with Enrico it's been decided. The Bravo Team is going to head into the forest zone in Sector 6A and work their way into where the group is believed to be hiding."
Nods went across the room. This was getting very serious. Whoever these people were, they were extremely dangerous and neutralizing them would be no easy feat. As Wesker continued to speak Richard looked over and noticed the expression on Rebecca's face, she was staring at her hands and holding one in the other. She was afraid, he could see it. From the corner of his eye he caught a motion and looked up, Wesker was walking down the aisle of desks.
"Bravo will leave at 1800 and head into the forest zone. After their report, Alpha team will assist if needed. The time is now 1700, listen up: Edward will ready the chopper for take off, Forest, you're in charge of munitions, make sure the team is equipped and ready for combat. Kenneth will assist the rookie in preparing her field kit. Richard…"
Richard felt Wesker's eyes on him, even from behind those perpetual shades. Wesker was a man of few words, but his demeanor showed he was in control and was a man to be listened to when he spoke.
"Sir?"
"You're the radioman. Make sure Bravo has full contact with us during the mission."
"Yes sir." Richard found himself saying. It wasn't that he had anything against Wesker, he was just an intimidating figure. Richard stood and headed back to the console in the corner he was at previously as the rest of the Bravos scurried about for their various missions. They had an hour before take off and every minute counted.
"Why aren't both teams going in? If there a dozen cannibals, probably armed, why doesn't Alpha go in for immediate backup?"
Wesker turned, hearing Chris Redfield speak up from behind. For the past month Chris had been obsessed with the case and was a little too eager to get involved with it. Wesker ran a hand through his blonde locks and shook his head.
"This isn't a militia, Chris. RPD's Profiler says we're looking at a small group that is nothing an armed team can't handle. Bringing in the Alphas would be overkill."
"What if the Profiler was wrong? What if their numbers are more or if they're better armed than we thought? Did you consider the possibility of booby-traps in the forest?"
Chris was persistent. He believed there was more to this than a group of backwoods yokels who saw a little too much Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Police Profilers were good at their jobs and if they said Bravo could handle it, Bravo could handle it.
"Don't doubt them, Chris. If anything goes wrong Brad will fly us out there immediately."
Maybe that had done it. Chris nodded and then looked over to Barry, as if for support. The older man nodded, siding with Wesker. If the situation did turn dire, the Alphas could fly in to save the day.
Forest picked up a duffel bag filled with the heavy weapons and sat it aside. Shotguns, Rifles, all the big-boy guns were in that faded brown bag. He kneeled in front of the locker, sliding clips into Berettas for his fellow teammates. The only man on the entire team who knew more about guns and owned more was Barry. Though the Alpha was nine years his senior, their love of firearms and their NRA memberships helped them bond quickly. After sliding the last clip in, he dropped the handgun into a second, smaller bag and then stood, sliding the heavy bag across his back and carrying the handgun bag in his right hand.
"Mr. Sullivan, do you think we'll really need to use these things?" Rebecca spoke up, looking away from a white case filled with gauze, tape, and disinfectant among other things. Kenneth looked over to her from his own case which was filled with syringes and various vials. He was old enough to be her father, but being called "Mr. Sullivan" just made him feel that much older.
"You can call me, Ken, Rebecca. Everybody else on the team does."
"Right. Ken. Do you think we'll really need to use this stuff?"
"Who knows? If one of the Cannibals takes a bite out of one of us, we'll need to be healed up. They might also have hostages, and they'll need medical attention too."
Rebecca nodded. She had been walking on air ever since she was invited to join the S.T.A.R.S by Wesker himself and now that her first mission was underway, she had cold feet. Somehow the warm smile of Ken Sullivan made her feel more relaxed and she knew Richard would take care of her; he had been looking out for her since day one. The two of them finished packing their kits and left the room, heading for the heliport.
The helicopter was already on, the propellers spinning slowly. Edward sat in the pilot's chair, waiting for the other Bravos. The door to the roof opened and Enrico Marini stepped out, followed by Forest who was lugging the weapons. In the cockpit Edward cupped a hand over his ear, listening for the voice on the other end of the headset.
"This is Richard. Do you copy?"
"Copy that, Richard."
"Good. It seems the radio is up and working. See you in five. Over."
Enrico and Forest boarded the whirly-bird as Rebecca and Kenneth followed, loading in the medical supplies. The long-haired Southerner began distributing the 9mm handguns while they waited for Richard. A moment later the door opened for a third time and out stepped Richard. He climbed in and shut the door behind him; taking a Beretta from Forest and sliding it into his belt holster.
"Bravo Team heading out."
"Copy that, Bravo Team."
The voice on the other end was that of Wesker. With the go-ahead Edward took the copter up and began flying west toward the forest. S.T.A.R.S was heading in to deal with the "Arklay Cannibals" and once Bravo arrived, those freaks would wish they'd never come to this small town.